What is the whole aim of life besides hope, both in this life and in that which is to come?
I Corinthians 15:19
If in this life ONLY we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.
I believe Paul is saying, our hope for life shouldn’t lie here. What happens here isn’t the limit of our hope. So whether the world gets better or worse, we have a hope that is beyond the present, that is, the glory of eternity with Christ according to the promise of faith. It is our joy and consolation!
However, this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t hope for anything good in this life. Mark the words, ONLY. In other words, have hope here but not just here but beyond here, or else you’ll be miserable when your hope here is passed or you pass to the other side. You are not to ever be caught without hope, either of this life or of that which is to come.
Hope is what makes a man wake up and go out to work everyday, a student to school, a person to pursue a career path, etc.
To be without hope is to be without reason to live no more. Many times we may call it dreams, ambitions and fantasies but it’s just us hoping for something better than this, not just when we get up there but also while still here. It helps you try one more time. Get up and stand again. I know life can look very hopeless but if you’re still here and alive, then that’s one reason to know there’s something to hope for, something better. To give up on hope because of the past or the present is to settle for less than all the possibilities that could have been birthed in the future.
Let me share some things from scripture to show you how valid hope is. There’s more you can find from Genesis to Revelation hence this is not exhaustive.
Hebrews 6:17-19
Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil,
Hebrews 10:23-24
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
The last verse above tells us not to just hope in eternity but let that hope influence you to be an agent of two things, first, love, then good works.
Yes, the whole world lies in death, but you don’t, so be a life-giver. The world lies in darkness, so be a light-bringer. There’s a reason you are the light of the world. There is a reason you’re the salt of the earth. There is a reason the life given to you will be a “well springing up to eternal life“, not for you to drink alone but others too. – John 4:14
Don’t you also know that hope gives you something to believe God for – peace, healing, provision, economic advancement, etc? Now, you should understand why hope and faith are connected – Heb. 11:1
How can you sweeten the life of another when you yourself hope for nothing in life itself?
Even love bears all things, believes all things, HOPES ALL THINGS, endures all things. – 1Cor. 13:7
What is the essence of life if you have stopped hoping for anything good? It is not faith, not knowledge, not wisdom, and definitely not of God. Don’t give up hope, it is your essence.
FATHER, HEAL MY HEART, OPEN MY EYES AND HELP ME TO HOPE AGAIN BOTH HERE AND IN THE LIFE TO COME.
Good evening,
That you may be bound to Christ.
– James
Need someone to talk to or pray with, feel free to connect with me via email (jamesgeorge017@gmail.com) or WhatsApp Messenger (+2348135962811)
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